Squaring off against several larger schools and some of the region’s top athletes, members of the Mancos High School boys and girls track teams held their own at the Pine River Invitational in Bayfield on April 13.
Among the most impressive performances put forth by a Mancos athlete was that produced by junior Caden Showalter, who powered his way to a first-place finish in the discus (144 feet, 3 inches) and a second-place finish in the shot put (47 feet, 6 inches).
Also cracking the top five in multiple events were junior Anthony Medina, who placed second in the triple jump (41 feet, 1¾ inches), third in the long jump (20 feet, 8¾ inches), and fifth in the 200-meter dash (24.16). Freshman Connor Showalter placed third in the shot put (45 feet, 11 inches) and fifth in the discus (127 feet, 4½ inches).
Senior Caden Galloway placed first in the high jump (6 feet), and senior Hunter Hoover placed sixth in the triple jump (36 feet, 8¾ inches) and seventh in the high jump (5 feet, 4 inches).
The Mancos boys team finished fifth overall in the team standings of the 12-team meet, which was won by Durango High School.
On the girls’ side, M-CHS was paced by sophomore Grace Manning, who placed third in the 800-meter run (2:37.78). Freshman Hannah Sparks finished seventh in the long jump (13 feet, 10 inches), and sophomore Zoey Steele crossed the line 11th in the 100-meter hurdles (24.10).
The highlight of the meet for the Mancos girls’ team came in the 800-meter sprint medley relay when freshman Desi Dainty-Guilfoyle, senior Ericka Peacock, Sparks and Manning raced to a third-place finish (2:02.12).
The Mancos girls’ team finished 10th in the team standings of the 12-team meet, which was won by Durango High School.
Next up for Mancos will be the Ron Keller Invitational in Durango on April 20.
